Title: A Night Divided
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Series: Scholastic Gold
Major Themes: Berlin, Germany, Cold War, Berlin Wall, Communism, Escape
Synopsis: After their family was suddenly divided by the Berlin Wall, Gerta’s father asked her to dig a tunnel to him and freedom—but was that even possible?
When I was in third grade, the Social Studies textbook I studied had several lessons about the Berlin Wall, how it was built, and the effect it had on the people of Germany. I have hardly found any books about the Wall, though, or the Cold War—until I bought a copy of A Night Divided recently. When I picked it up to preread it before putting it on our library shelf, I had no idea that I was about to get sucked into a story that would hold me captive for a few days until I was able to reach the last page.
Publisher’s description:
With the sudden rise of the Berlin Wall, Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, are unable to return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can’t help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens, watching for any sign of escape. Gerta, her family, her neighbors, and friends are prisoners in their own city.
But one day on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side of the wall, pantomiming a peculiar dance. She concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?
My thoughts:
If you want a suspenseful book, this is the one for you! Literally, I did not know for sure until about three pages from the end how this story would turn out. Because A Night Divided is a novel, I thought I could predict the end, but there were so many setbacks, one after another after another, that I couldn’t be sure. I spent a couple of nights dreaming about how the goal could be reached, and another night I decided I had to read something lighter before going to sleep, so I could sleep. Was I ever glad to find a few minutes the next afternoon to finish this book!
This author made me feel like I was there in Berlin with Gerta and Fritz. I felt what they felt as they desperately worked to reunite their family. The fear they lived with constantly, as they wondered if they could trust anyone—and knew there were very few people they could trust—came through perfectly. At the same time, there were good people, people who would help them. However, they had to be willing to take risks to help others, as well.
Add this book to any study of the 1960s, the Cold War, or Germany. Or, just read it to learn what ordinary people faced when the Communists cut Berlin—and Germany—in two. Just, please don’t read it at bedtime, or you may find yourself frantically digging a tunnel in your sleep!
WARNING: Fritz and Gerta frequently lie about their activities. People are shot and killed several times.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
